Herbicidal sulphonylated carboxamides

ABSTRACT

Herbicidal sulphonylated carboxamides of the formula 
     
         R.sup.1 --CO--NH--SO.sub.2 --(A).sub.n --R.sup.2           (I) 
    
     in which 
     n represents the numbers 0 or 1, 
     A represents oxygen, imino (NH) or methylene (CH 2 ), 
     R 1  represents a five-membered heteroaryl radical which contains 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms and additionally one oxygen or sulphur atom in the ring and which is optionally substituted by halogen or by alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino or phenyl which are in each case optionally substituted, and 
     R 2  represents aryl or heteroaryl which are in each case optionally substituted, 
     or salts thereof, with the exclusion of the compound 2-dimethylamino-N-(4-methyl-phenylsulphonyl)-5-thiazole carboxamide.

The invention relates to new sulphonylated carboxamides, processes for their preparation and their use as herbicides.

2-Dimethylamino-N-(4-methyl-phenylsulphonyl)-5-thiazole carboxamide is already known from the literature as an example of sulphonylated carboxamides (compare J. Org. Chem. 46 (1981), 2790-2793). However, nothing has been published about the biological properties of this compound.

The new sulphonylated carboxamides of the general formula (I)

    R.sup.1 --CO--NH--SO.sub.2 --(A).sub.n --R.sup.2           (I)

in which

n represents the numbers 0 or 1,

A represents oxygen, imino (NH) or methylene (CH₂),

R¹ represents a five-membered heteroaryl radical which contains 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms and additionally one oxygen or sulphur atom in the ring and which is optionally substituted by halogen or by alkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl, alkylsulphonyl, alkylamino, dialkylamino or phenyl which are in each case optionally substituted, and

R² represents aryl or heteroaryl which are in each case optionally substituted,

and salts of compounds of the formula (I) have now been found, the known 2-dimethylamino-N-(4-methyl-phenylsulphonyl)-5-thiazole carboxamide being excluded.

The new sulphonylated carboxamides of the formula (I) are obtained when

(a) carboxamides of the general formula (II)

    R.sup.1 --CO--NH.sub.2                                     (II)

in which

R¹ has the abovementioned meaning, are reacted with sulphonylating agents of the general formula (III)

    X--SO.sub.2 --(A).sub.n --R.sup.2                          (III)

in which

n, A and R² have the abovementioned meanings and

X represents halogen, if appropriate in the presence of an acid acceptor and if appropriate in the presence of a diluent, or when

(b) carboxylic acids of the general formula (IV)

    R.sup.1 --COOH                                             (IV)

in which

R¹ has the abovementioned meaning, or reactive derivatives of carboxylic acids of the formula (IV) are reacted with aminosulphonyl compounds of the general formula (V)

    H.sub.2 N--SO.sub.2 --(A).sub.n --R.sup.2                  (V)

in which

n, A and R² have the abovementioned meanings, or with reactive derivatives of the compounds of the formula (V) if appropriate in the presence of reaction auxiliaries and if appropriate in the presence of diluents and, if appropriate, the products obtained by processes (a) or (b) are converted into salts by customary methods.

The new sulphonylated carboxamides of the general formula (I) are distinguished by strong herbicidal activity.

The invention preferably relates to sulphonylated carboxamides of the formula (I) in which

n represents the numbers 0 or 1,

A represents oxygen, imino (NH) or methylene (CH₂),

R¹ represents a five-membered heteroaryl radical from the series comprising oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiazolyl and thiadiazolyl, which is optionally monosubstituted or polysubstituted, in particular monosubstituted or disubstituted, by identical or different halogen or by optionally halogen-substituted C₁ -C₆ -alkyl, phenyl, C₁ -C₆ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₆ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₆ -alkylsulphinyl, C₁ -C₆ -alkylsulphonyl, C₁ -C₆ -alkylamino or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-amino, and

R² represents the radical ##STR1## in which

R³ and R⁴ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, cyano, nitro, carboxyl or C₁ -C₆ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, carboxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino-carbonyl, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)aminocarbonyl, hydroxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, formyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl-carbonyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino-carbonyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)aminosulphonyl, C₃ -C₆ -cycloalkyl or phenyl, or R³ and R⁴ furthermore independently of one another represent C₂ -C₆ -alkenyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or phenyl, or R³ and R⁴ additionally independently of one another represent C₂ -C₆ -alkinyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl, carboxyl or phenyl; C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, carboxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl; C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, carboxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C.sub. 4 -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl; C₃ -C₆ -alkenyloxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl, C₂ -C₆ -alkenylthio which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, C₁ -C₃ -alkylthio or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl; C₃ -C₆ -alkynyloxy, C₃ -C₆ -alkynylthio or the radical --S(O)_(p) --R⁵, or

R³ and R⁴ furthermore represent phenyl or phenoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylcarbonylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino-carbonylamino, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-amino-carbonylamino, or the radical --CO--R⁶,or R³ and R⁴ furthermore represent C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyloxy, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminosulphonylamino or the radical --CH═N--R⁷, in which

p represents the numbers 1 or 2 and

R⁵ represents C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl or R⁵ represents C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-amino,

R⁶ represents C₁ -C₆ -alkyl, C₁ -C₆ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, methoxy or ethoxy; C₃ -C₆ -cycloalkoxy, C₃ -C₆ -alkenyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, amino, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxyamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-C₁ -C₄ -alkyl-amino or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)amino which are optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine and

R⁷ represents C₁ -C₆ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, cyano, carboxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl, benzyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, C₃ -C₆ -alkenyl or C₃ -C₆ -alk nyl which are optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, phenyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or trifluoromethylthio, C₁ -C₆ -alkoxy, C₃ -C₆ -alkenyloxy, C₃ -C₆ -alkynyloxy or benzyloxy which are optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine, or R⁷ furthermore represents amino, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-amino, phenylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl-carbonylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonylamino or phenyl sulphonylamino which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine or methyl,

R⁸ and R⁹ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine; or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine;

R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine; C₂ -C₄ -alkenyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl which are optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine; and di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminosulphonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl, dimethylaminocarbonyl or dioxolanyl;

R¹² and R¹³ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl which are optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine; or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)aminosulphonyl;

R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy and/or C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkoxy; C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl which are optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-amino-sulphonyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, and

A¹ represents oxygen, sulphur or the group N--Z¹, in which

Z¹ represents hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine or cyano; C₃ -C₆ -cycloalkyl, benzyl or phenyl, phenyl optionally being substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine or nitro; C₁ -C₄ -alkylcarbonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)aminocarbonyl,

R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ are identical or different and represent hydrogen C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, halogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkoxy,

Y¹ represents sulphur or the group N--R¹⁸, in which R¹⁸ represents hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl,

R¹⁹ represents hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, phenyl or (iso)quinolinyl,

R²⁰ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine and/or chlorine; dioxolanyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl,

R²¹ represents hydrogen, halogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl,

R²² represents hydrogen, halogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl,

R²³ represents C₁ -C₄ -alkyl,

R²⁴ represents C₁ -C₄ -alkyl and

R²⁵ represents hydrogen or methyl, excluding the compound 2-(dimethylamino)-N-[(4-methylphenyl)sulphonyl]-5-thiazole carboxamide.

The invention relates in particular to compounds of the formula (I) in which

n represents the numbers 0 or 1,

A represents oxygen, imino (NH) or methylene (CH₂),

R¹ represents a five-membered heteroaryl radical from the series comprising oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolyl and 1,3,4-thiadiazolyl, which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, fluoromethyl, chloromethyl, difluoromethyl, dichloromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, chlorofluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl, fluorodichloromethyl, phenyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropyloxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, chlorodifluoromethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, difluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, chlorodifluoromethylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, propylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, propylsulphonyl, methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, isopropylamino and/or dimethylamino, and

R² represents the radical ##STR2##

R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, 2-chloroethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, C₁ -C₃ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₃ -alkyl-sulphinyl, C₁ -C₃ -alkylsulphonyl, dimethylaminosulphonyl, diethylaminosulphonyl, N-methoxy-N-methylaminosulphonyl, phenyl, phenoxy or C₁ -C₃ -alkoxycarbonyl and

R⁴ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, trifluoromethyl or methoxy;

R¹⁰ represents dimethylaminocarbonyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl,

R¹¹ represents hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine and

R represents methyl or ethyl,

excluding the compound 2-(dimethylamino)-N-[(4-methylphenyl)-sulphonyl]-5-thiazole carboxamide.

n in particular represents the number 0. If n represents the number 1, A in particular represents CH₂.

R² in particular represents ##STR3## where R³ and R⁴ are preferably in the orthoposition.

R⁴ in particular represents hydrogen.

The invention further preferably relates to salts of compounds of the formula (I) with bases, such as, for example, the hydroxide, hydride, amide or carbonate of sodium, potassium or calcium, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxides of sodium or potassium, ammonia, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamines, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-amines or tri-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-amines.

Examples of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention are shown in Table 1 below.

    R.sup.1 --CO--NH--SO.sub.2 --(A).sub.n --R.sup.2           (I)

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         Examples of the compounds of the formula (I)                                   R.sup.1        A       n     R.sup.2                                           ______________________________________                                          ##STR4##      --      0                                                                                     ##STR5##                                          ##STR6##      --      0                                                                                     ##STR7##                                          ##STR8##      --      0                                                                                     ##STR9##                                          ##STR10##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR11##                                         ##STR12##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR13##                                         ##STR14##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR15##                                         ##STR16##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR17##                                         ##STR18##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR19##                                         ##STR20##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR21##                                         ##STR22##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR23##                                         ##STR24##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR25##                                         ##STR26##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR27##                                         ##STR28##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR29##                                         ##STR30##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR31##                                         ##STR32##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR33##                                         ##STR34##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR35##                                         ##STR36##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR37##                                         ##STR38##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR39##                                         ##STR40##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR41##                                         ##STR42##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR43##                                         ##STR44##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR45##                                         ##STR46##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR47##                                         ##STR48##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR49##                                         ##STR50##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR51##                                         ##STR52##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR53##                                         ##STR54##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR55##                                         ##STR56##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR57##                                         ##STR58##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR59##                                         ##STR60##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR61##                                         ##STR62##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR63##                                         ##STR64##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR65##                                         ##STR66##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR67##                                         ##STR68##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR69##                                         ##STR70##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR71##                                         ##STR72##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR73##                                         ##STR74##     --      0                                                                                     ##STR75##                                         ##STR76##     CH.sub.2                                                                               1                                                                                     ##STR77##                                        ______________________________________                                    

If, for example, 2-trifluoromethyl-oxazole-4-carboxamide and 2-cyano-phenylmethanesulphonyl chloride are used as starting materials in process (a) according to the invention, the course of the reaction can be outlined by the following equation: ##STR78##

If, for example, methyl 5-methyl-isoxazole-3-carboxylate and 2,6-difluoro-benzene-sulphonamide are used as starting materials in process (b) according to the invention, the course of the reaction can be outlined by the following equation: ##STR79##

Formula (II) provides a general definition of the carboxamides to be used as starting materials in process (a) according to the invention for the preparation of compounds of the formula (I).

In formula (II), R¹ preferably or in particular has that meaning which has already been mentioned above as preferred or as particularly preferred for R¹ in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention.

Examples of the starting materials of the formula (II) which may be mentioned are: 5-methyl-, 5-ethyl-, 5-propyl-, 5-isopropyl-, 5-butyl-, 5-isobutyl-, 5-sec-butyl- and 5-tert-butyl-isoxazole-3-carboxamide, 2-methyl-, 2-ethyl-, 2-propyl-, 2-isopropyl-, 2-butyl-, 2-isobutyl-, 2-sec-butyl- and 2tert-butyl-oxazole-4-carboxamide, 5-methyl-, 5-ethyl-, 5-propyl-, 5-isopropyl-, 5-butyl-, 5-isobutyl-, 5-sec-butyl- and 5-tert-butyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole-3-carboxamide, 2-chloro-, 2-methyl-, 2-ethyl-, 2-propyl-, 2-isopropyl-, 2-butyl-, 2-isobutyl-, 2-sec-butyl-, 2-tert-butyl-, 2-trifluoromethyl-, 2-methoxy-, 2-ethoxy-, 2-propoxy- and 2-isopropoxy-thiazole-5-carboxamide, 2,4-dichloro-thiazole-5-carboxamide, 2-methyl-4-chloro-thiazole-5-carboxamide, 2-methoxy-4-chloro-thiazole-5-carboxamide, 4-methyl-, 4-ethyl-, 4-propyl-, 4-isopropyl-, 4-butyl-, 4-isobutyl-, 4-sec-butyl- and 4-tert-butyl-thiazole-2-carboxamide, 5-methyl-, 5-ethyl-, 5-propyl-, 5 -isopropyl-5-butyl-, 5-isobutyl-, 5-sec-butyl- and 5-tert-butyl-thiazole-2-carboxamide.

The carboxamides of the formula (II) are known and/or can be prepared by methods known per se (compare RO-P 67,530 cited in Chem. Abstracts 95, 7258k; Helv. Chim. Acta 27 (1944), 1437-1438; Chem. Ber. 73 (1940), 1240-1252; J. Prakt. Chem. 314 (1972), 447-454).

Formula (III) provides a general definition of the sulphonylating agents further required as starting materials in process (a) according to the invention.

In formula (III), n, A and R² preferably or in particular have those meanings which have already been mentioned above as preferred or as particularly preferred for n, A and R² in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention and

X preferably represents fluorine, chlorine or bromine, in particular chlorine.

Examples of the starting materials of the formula (III) which may be mentioned are: benzenesulphonyl chloride, 2-chloro-, 3-chloro-, 4-chloro-, 2,5-dichloro-, 2-fluoro-, 4-fluoro-, 2-bromo-, 4-bromo-, 2-cyano-, 2-nitro-, 4-nitro-, 2-methyl-, 4-methyl-, 2-chloromethyl-, 2-trifluoromethyl-, 2-methoxy-4-methoxy-, 2-methylthio-, 2-trifluoromethylthio-, 2-difluoromethylthio-, 2-cyclopropyloxycarbonyl-, 2-phenoxy-, 2-difluoromethoxy-, 2-trifluoromethoxy-, 2-(2-chloroethoxy)-, 2-methylthiomethyl-, 2-dimethylaminosulphonyl-, 2-phenyl-, 2-methoxycarbonyl-, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-, 2-dimethylaminocarbonyl and 2-diethylaminocarbonyl-benzenesulphonyl chloride and also (2-chlorophenyl)-, (2-cyano-phenyl)-, (2-methoxycarbonyl-phenyl)- and (2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-methanesulphonyl chloride, 2-chloro-6-methyl-benzenesulphonyl chloride and 2,6 -dichloro-benzenesulphonyl chloride.

The sulphonylating agents of the formula (III) are known and/or can be prepared by processes which are known per se (compare J. Org. Chem. 33 (1968), 2104; J. Org. Chem. 25 (1960), 1824; DE-AS (German Published Specification) 2,308,262; EP-OS (European Published Specification) 23,140, 23,141, 23,422, 35,893, 48,143, 51,466, 64,322, 70,041, 44,808 and 44,809; U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,929,820,4,282,242; 4,348,220 and 4,372,778 and also Angew. Chem. 93 (1981), 151).

Process (a) according to the invention for the preparation of the new compounds of the formula (I) is preferably carried out using diluents. Suitable diluents in this case are virtually all the inert organic solvents. These preferably include aliphatic and aromatic, optionally halogenated hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, petroleum ether, benzine, ligroin, benzene, toluene, xylene, methylene chloride, ethylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, chlorobenzene and o-dichlorobenzene, ethers such as diethyl ether and dibutyl ether, glycol dimethyl ether and diglycol dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane, ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isopropyl ketone and methyl isobutyl ketone, esters such as methyl acetate and ethyl acetate, nitriles such as, for example, acetonitrile and propionitrile, amides such as, for example, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide and N-methyl-pyrrolidone and also dimethyl sulphoxide, tetramethylene sulphone and hexamethylphosphoric triamide and pyridine.

Acid acceptors which can be employed in process (a) according to the invention are all acid-binding agents which can customarily be used for reactions of this type. Those which are preferable are alkali metal hydroxides such as, for example, sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, alkaline earth metal hydroxides such as, for example, calcium hydroxide, alkali metal hydrides such as, for example, sodium hydride and potassium hydride, alkaline earth metal hydrides such as, for example, calcium hydride, alkali metal carbonates and alkoxides such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate, sodium tert.-butoxide and potassium tert.-butoxide, and in addition aliphatic, aromatic or heterocyclic amines, for example triethylamine, trimethylamine, dimethylaniline, dimethylbenzylamine, pyridine, picoline, 1,5-diazabicyclo-[4.3.0]-non-5-ene (DBN), 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5.4.0]-undec-7-ene (DBU) and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]-octane (DABCO).

The reaction temperatures can be varied within a substantial range in process (a) according to the invention. In general, the reaction is carried out at temperatures between -20° C. and +100° C., preferably at temperatures between 0° C. and +80° C.

To carry out process (a) according to the invention, the starting materials required in each case are in general employed in approximately equimolar amounts. However, it is also possible to use one of the two components employed in each case in a relatively large excess. The reactions are in general carried out in a suitable diluent in the presence of an acid acceptor, and the reaction mixture is stirred for several hours at the temperature required in each case. Working-up is in each case carried out in process (a) according to the invention by customary methods (compare the preparation examples).

Formula (IV) provides a general definition of the carboxylic acids required as starting materials in process (b) according to the invention.

In formula (IV), R¹ preferably or in particular has that meaning which has already been indicated as preferred or as particularly preferred for R¹ in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention.

Examples of the starting materials of the formula (IV) which may be mentioned are: 5-methyl-, 5-ethyl-, 5-propyl-, 5-isopropyl-, 5-butyl-, 5-isobutyl-, 5-sec-butyl- and 5-tert-butyl-isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid, 2-methyl-, 2-ethyl-, 2-propyl-, 2-isopropyl-, 2-butyl-, 2-isobutyl-, 2-sec-butyl- and 2-tert-butyl-oxazole-4-carboxylic acid, 5-methyl-, 5ethyl-, 5-propyl-, 5-isopropyl-, 5-butyl-, 5-isobutyl-, 5-sec-butyl- and 5-tert-butyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole-3-carboxylic acid, 2-chloro, 2-methyl-, 2-ethyl-, 2-propyl-, 2-isopropyl-, 2-butyl-, 2-isobutyl-, 2-sec-butyl, 2-tert-butyl-, 2-trifluoromethyl-, 2-methoxy-, 2-ethoxy-, 2-propoxy- and 2-isopropyl-thiazole-5-carboxylic acid, 2,4-dichloro-thiazole-5-carboxylic acid, 2-methyl-4-chlorothiazole-5-carboxylic acid, 2-methoxy-4-chloro-thiazole-5-carboxylic acid, 4-methyl-, 4-ethyl-, 4-propyl-, 4-isopropyl-, 4-butyl-, 4-isobutyl-, 4-sec-butyl- and 4-tert-butyl-thiazole-2-carboxylic acid, 5-methyl-, 5-ethyl-, 5-propyl-, 5-isopropyl-, 5-butyl-, 5-isobutyl-, 5-sec-butyl- and 5-tert-butyl-thiazole-2-carboxylic acid.

The carboxylic acids of the formula (IV) are known and/or can be prepared by known processes (compare GB-P 1,245,517; DE-OS (German Published Specification) 2,940,189; DE-OS (German Published Specification) 3,013,908; Helv. Chim. Acta 27 (1944), 1437-1438; Chem. Ber. 73 (1940), 1240-1252; J. Chem. Soc. 1946, 87-91; loc. cit. 1947, 96-102; Helv. Chim. Acta 29 (1946), 1957-1959; J. Prakt. Chem. 314 (1972), 447-454; Chem. Ber. 94 (1961), 757-761).

Instead of the carboxylic acids of the formula (IV), the carbonyl chlorides derived therefrom or alkyl esters derived therefrom (preferably methyl esters or ethyl esters), aralkyl esters (preferably benzyl esters) or aryl esters (preferably phenyl esters, optionally substituted in the phenyl group by cyano, nitro, chlorine, fluorine, bromine and/or methyl) may be employed as starting materials ("reactive derivatives") in process (b) according to the invention.

The carbonyl chlorides are obtained from the corresponding carboxylic acids by customary methods, for example by reaction with customary "chlorinating agents" such as, for example, phosgene, oxalyl chloride or thionyl chloride, if appropriate in the presence of reaction auxiliaries, such as, for example, pyridine, and if appropriate in the presence of diluents, such as, for example, chloroform or tetrachloromethane, at temperatures between 0° C. and 100° C.

The corresponding esters of the formula (IV) can be obtained from the appropriate carbonyl chlorides and suitable alcohols or phenols by customary methods, in general by reaction in the presence of an acid acceptor, such as, for example, triethylamine or pyridine, and in the presence of a diluent, such as, for example, acetonitrile, at temperatures between 0° C. and 100° C.

However, the esters mentioned can also be obtained directly from the carboxylic acids of the formula (IV) in the presence of condensation auxiliaries, such as, for example, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, if appropriate in the presence of reaction auxiliaries, such as, for example, 4-dimethylamino-pyridine, and if appropriate in the presence of diluents, such as, for example, methylene chloride or chloroform, at temperatures between 0° C. and 100° C.

Formula (V) provides a general definition of the aminosulphonyl compounds further required as starting materials in process (b) according to the invention.

In formula (V), n, A and R² preferably or in particular have those meanings which have already been indicated as preferred or as particularly preferred for n, A and R² in connection with the description of the compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention.

Examples of the starting materials of the formula (V) which may be mentioned are: benzenesulphonamide, 2-chloro-, 3-chloro-, 4-chloro-, 2,5-dichloro-, 2-fluoro-, 4-fluoro-, 2-bromo-, 4-bromo-, 2-cyano-, 2-nitro-, 4-nitro-, 2-methyl-, 4-methyl-, 2-chloromethyl-, 2-trifluoromethyl-, 2-methoxy-, 4-methoxy-, 2-methylthio-, 2-trifluoromethylthio-, 2-difluoromethylthio-, 2-cyclopropyloxycarbonyl-, 2-phenoxy-, 2-difluoromethoxy-, 2-trifluoromethoxy-, 2-(2-chloroethoxy), 2-methylthiomethyl-, 2-dimethylaminosulphonyl-, 2-phenyl-, 2-methoxycarbonyl-, 2-ethoxycarbonyl-, 2-dimethylaminocarbonyl- and 2-diethylaminocarbonylbenzenesulphonamide and also (2-chloro-phenyl)-, (2-cyano-phenyl)-, (2-methoxycarbonyl-phenyl)- and (2-trifluoromethoxy-phenyl)-methanesulphonamide, 2-chloro-6-methyl-benzenesulphonyl chloride and 2,6-dichlorobenzenesulphonamide.

The aminosulphonyl compounds of the formula (V) are known and/or can be prepared by processes which are known per se (compare J. Org. Chem. 33 (1968), 2104; J. Org. Chem. 25 (1960), 1824; DE-AS (German Published Specification) 2,308,262; EP-A 23,140, 23,141, 23,422, 35,893, 48,143, 51,466, 64,322, 70,041, 44,808 and 44,809; U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,929,820, 4,282,242; 4,348,220 and 4,372,778 and also Angew. Chem. 93 (1981), 151).

Instead of the aminosulphonyl compounds of the formula (V), the sulphonyl isocyanates derived therefrom ("reactive derivatives") may be employed as starting materials in process (b) according to the invention. These compounds are known and/or can be prepared by methods which are known per se (compare J. Org. Chem. 31 (1966), 2658-2661; EP-A 7687; EP-A 46,626; EP-A 21,641; EP-A 23,140; EP-A 23,141; EP-A 70,041; EP-A 23,422, EP-A 64,322; EP-A 34,431; EP-A 35,893; EP-A 51,466, EP-A 44,808; EP-A 173,312, DE-OS (German Published Specification) 3,132,944; EP-A 87,780; EP-A 271,780).

Process (b) according to the invention for the preparation of the new compounds of the formula (I) is preferably carried out using diluents. Possible diluents in this case are preferably the same diluents which are indicated above for process (a) according to the invention.

Process (b) according to the invention is optionally carried out in the presence of a reaction auxiliary. Suitable reaction auxiliaries in this case are compounds with which carboxylic acids are converted into reactive intermediates which are then reacted in situ with nucleophilic compounds, such as, for example, the sulphonamides of the formula (V) to give corresponding carboxylic acid derivatives. Examples of reaction auxiliaries of this type which may be mentioned are carbonyldiimidazole and 2-chloro-1-methyl-pyridinium iodide.

For the reaction of the carbonyl chlorides and esters according to formula (IV) with aminosulphonyl compounds of the formula (V), acid acceptors such as have been indicated above for process (a) according to the invention are also suitable as reaction auxiliaries.

The reaction temperatures in process (b) according to the invention can be varied within a substantial range. In general, the reaction is carried out at temperatures between 0° C. and 150° C., preferably at temperatures between 10° C. and 100° C.

Process (b) according to the invention is in general carried out under normal pressure. However, it is also possible to work at elevated or reduced pressure.

To carry out process (b) according to the invention, the starting materials required in each case are in general employed in approximately equimolar amounts. However it is also possible to use one of the two components employed in each case in a relatively large excess. The reactions are in general carried out in the presence of a suitable diluent and if appropriate in the presence of a reaction auxiliary, and the reaction mixture is stirred for several hours at the temperature required in each case. Working-up is carried out by customary methods.

Salts may optionally be prepared from the compounds of the general formula (I) according to the invention. Such salts are obtained in a simple manner by customary salt formation methods, for example by dissolving or dispersing a compound of the formula (I) in a suitable solvent, such as, for example, water, methanol, ethanol, methylene chloride or acetone, and adding a suitable acid or base. The salts can then be isolated--if appropriate after stirring for a relatively long time --by concentrating or filtering off with suction.

The active compounds according to the invention can be used as defoliants, desiccants, agents for destroying broad-leaved plants and, especially, as weedkillers. By weeds, in the broadest sense, there are to be understood all plants which grow in locations where they are undesired. Whether the substances according to the invention act as total or selective herbicides depends essentially on the amount used.

The active compounds according to the invention can be used, for example, in connection with the following plants:

Dicotyledon weeds of the genera: Sinapis, Lepidium, Galium, Stellaria, Matricaria, Anthemis, Galinsoga, Chenopodium, Urtica, Senecio, Amaranthus, Portulaca, Xanthium, Convolvulus, Ipomoea, Polygonum, Sesbania, Ambrosia, Cirsium, Carduus, Sonchus, Solanum, Rorippa, Rotala, Lindernia, Lamium, Veronica, Abutilon, Emex, Datura, Viola, Galeopsis, Papaver, Centaurea, Trifolium, Ranunculus and Taraxacum.

Dicotyledon cultures of the genera: Gossypium, Glycine, Beta, Daucus, Phaseolus, Pisum, Solanum, Linum, Ipomoea, Vicia, Nicotiana, Lycopersicon, Arachis, Brassica, Lactuca, Cucumis and Cucurbita.

Monocotyledon weeds of the genera: Echinochloa, Setaria, Panicum, Digitaria, Phleum, Poa, Festuca, Eleusine, Brachiaria, Lolium, Bromus, Avena, Cyperus, Sorghum, Agropyron, Cynodon, Monochoria, Fimbristylis, Sagittaria, Eleocharis, Scirpus, Paspalum, Ischaemum, Sphenoclea, Dactyloctenium, Agrostis, Alopecurus and Apera.

Monocotyledon cultures of the genera: Oryza, Zea, Triticum, Hordeum, Avena, Secale, Sorghum, Panicum, Saccharum, Ananas, Asparagus and Allium.

However, the use of the active compounds according to the invention is in no way restricted to these genera, but also extends in the same manner to other plants.

The compounds are suitable, depending on the concentration, for the total combating of weeds, for example on industrial terrain and rail tracks, and on paths and squares with or without tree plantings. Equally, the compounds can be employed for combating weeds in perennial cultures, for example afforestations, decorative tree plantings, orchards, vineyards, citrus groves, nut orchards, banana plantations, coffee plantations, tea plantations, rubber plantations, oil palm plantations, cocoa plantations, soft fruit plantings and hopfields, on lawns, turf and pastureland and for the selective combating of weeds in annual cultures.

The compounds of the formula (I) are in particular suitable for the selective combating of dicotyledon weeds in monocotyledon cultures, such as, for example, in corn and wheat, both in the pre-emergence and in the post-emergence process.

The active compounds can be converted into the customary formulations, such as solutions, emulsions, wettable powders, suspensions, powders, dusting agents, pastes, soluble powders, granules, suspension-emulsion concentrates, natural and synthetic materials impregnated with active compound, and very fine capsules in polymeric substances.

These formulations are produced in a known manner, for example by mixing the active compounds with extenders, that is liquid solvents and/or solid carriers, optionally with the use of surface-active agents, that is emulsifying agents and/or dispersing agents and/or foam-forming agents.

In the case of the use of water as an extender, organic solvents can, for example, also be used as auxiliary solvents. As liquid solvents, there are suitable in the main: aromatics, such as xylene, toluene or alkylnaphthalenes, chlorinated aromatics and chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as chlorobenzenes, chloroethylenes or methylene chloride, aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane or paraffins, for example petroleum fractions, mineral and vegetable oils, alcohols, such as butanol or glycol as well as their ethers and esters, ketones, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone or cyclohexanone, strongly polar solvents, such as dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulphoxide, as well as water.

As solid carriers there are suitable: for example ammonium salts and ground natural minerals, such as kaolins, clays, talc, chalk, quartz, attapulgite, montmorillonite or diatomaceous earth, and ground synthetic minerals, such as highly disperse silica, alumina and silicates, as solid carriers for granules there are suitable: for example crushed and fractionated natural minerals such as calcite, marble, pumice, sepiolite and dolomite, as well as synthetic granules of inorganic and organic meals, and granules of organic material such as sawdust, coconut shells, corn cobs and tobacco stalks; as emulsifying and/or foam-forming agents there are suitable: for example non-ionic and anionic emulsifiers, such as polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ethers, for example alkylaryl polyglycol ethers, alkylsulphonates, alkyl sulphates, arylsulphonates as well as albumin hydrolysis products; as dispersing agents there are suitable: for example ligninsulphite waste liquors and methylcellulose.

Adhesives such as carboxymethylcellulose and natural and synthetic polymers in the form of powders, granules or latexes, such as gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl acetate, as well as natural phospholipids, such as cephalins and lecithins, and synthetic phospholipids, can be used in the formulations. Further additives can be mineral and vegetable oils.

It is possible to use colorants such as inorganic pigments, for example iron oxide, titanium oxide and Prussian Blue, and organic dyestuffs, such as alizarin dyestuffs, azo dyestuffs and metal phthalocyanine dyestuffs, and trace nutrients such as salts of iron, manganese, boron, copper, cobalt, molybdenum and zinc.

The formulations in general contain between 0.1 and 95 per cent by weight of active compound, preferably between 0.5 and 90%.

For controlling weeds, the active compounds according to the invention, as such or in the form of their formulations, can also be used as mixtures with known herbicides, finished formulations or tank mixes being possible.

Suitable herbicides for the mixtures are known herbicides, such as, for example, 1-amino-6-ethylthio-3-(2,2-dimethylpropyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (AMETHYDIONE) or N-(2-benzothiazolyl)-N,N'-dimethylurea (METABENZTHIAZURON) for combating weeds in cereals; 4-amino-3-methyl-6-phenyl-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one (METAMITRON) for combating weeds in sugar beetzand 4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-methylthio-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one (METRIBUZIN) for combating weeds in soy beans; in addition also 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D); 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-butyric acid (2,4-DB); 2,4-dichlorophenoxypropionic acid (2,4-DP); 2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N-methoxymethyl-acetanilide(ALACHLOR);2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine (ATRAZINE); 3-isopropyl-2,1,3-benzothiadiazin-4-one-2,2-dioxide (BENTAZONE); methyl 5-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-2-nitrobenzoate (BIFENOX); 3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxy-benzonitrile (BROMOXYNIL); 2-chloro-N-{[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-amino]-carbonyl}benzenesulphonamide (CHLORSULFURON); N,N-dimethyl-N'-(3-chloro-4-methylphenyl)-urea (CHLORTOLURON); 2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-(3-cyanopropylamino)-1,3,5-triazine (CYANAZINE); 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-phenoxy]-propionic acid, its methyl ester or its ethyl ester (DICLOFOP); 4-amino-6-t-butyl-3-ethylthio-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one (ETHIOZIN); 2-{4-[(6-chloro-2-benzoxazolyl)-oxy]-phenoxy}-propanoic acid, its methyl ester or its ethyl ester (FENOXAPROP); [(4-amino-3,5-dichloro-6-fluoro-2-pyridinyl)-oxy]-acetic acid or its 1-methylheptyl ester (FLUROXYPYR); N-phosphonomethylglycine (GLYPHOSATE); methyl-2-[4,5-dihydro-4-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-5-oxo-1H-imidazol-2-yl]-4(5)-methylbenzoate (IMAZAMETHABENZ); 3,5-diiodo-4-hydroxybenzonitrile (IOXYNIL); N,N-dimethyl-N'-(4-isopropylphenyl)urea (ISOPROTURON); (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)-acetic acid (MCPA); (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)-propionic acid (MCPP); 2-ethyl-6-methyl-N-(1-methyl-2-methoxyethyl)-chloroacetanilide (METOLACHLOR); 2-{[[((4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-amino)-carbonyl]-amino-sulphonyl}-benzoic acid or its methyl ester (METSULFURON); N-(1-ethylpropyl)-3,4-dimethyl-2,6-dinitroaniline (PENDIMETHALIN); O-(6-chloro-3-phenyl-pyridazin-4-yl) S-octyl thiocarbonate (PYRIDATE); 4-ethylamino-2-t-butylamino-6-methylthio-s-triazine (TERBUTRYNE); methyl 3-[[[[(4-methoxy-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-amino]carbonyl]-amino]-sulphonyl]-thiophene-2-carboxylate (THIAMETURON); and S-(2,3,3-trichloroallyl) N,N-diisopropylthiocarbamate (TRIALLATE). Surprisingly, some mixtures also show a synergistic action.

A mixture with other known active compounds, such as fungicides, insecticides, acaricides, nematicides, bird repellents, plant nutrients and agents which improve soil structure, is also possible.

The active compounds can be used as such, in the form of their formulations or in the use forms prepared therefrom by further dilution, such as ready-to-use solutions, suspensions, emulsions, powders, pastes and granules. They are used in the customary manner, for example by watering, spraying, atomizing or scattering.

The active compounds according to the invention can be applied either before or after emergence of the plants.

They can also be incorporated into the soil before sowing.

The amount of active compound used can vary within a substantial range. It depends essentially on the nature of the desired effect. In general, the amounts used are between 0.01 and 10 kg of active compound per hectare of soil surface, preferably between 0.05 and 5 kg per ha.

The preparation and use of the active compounds according to the invention can be seen from the following examples.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES Example 1 ##STR80##

(Process (a))

2.52 g (0.02 mol) of 5-methyl-isoxazole-3-carboxamide are dissolved in 50 ml of 1,4-dioxane and after adding 3.4 g (0.06 mol) of powdered potassium hydroxide the mixture is stirred at 80° C. for 30 minutes. The mixture is cooled, 5.7 g (0.022 mol) of methyl 2-chlorosulphonylbenzoate are added at room temperature (20° C.) and the mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 20 hours. The solvent is then distilled off in vacuo, the residue is taken up in water and the solution is filtered. The product precipitates from the filtrate on acidifying with hydrochloric acid, and is collected on a suction filter and dried on clay.

1.8 g (27% of theory) of N-(2-methoxycarbonylphenylsulphonyl)-5-methyl-isoxazole-3-carboxamide of melting point 101° C. are obtained.

Example 2 ##STR81##

(Process (b))

3.8 g (0.02 mol) of 2-chlorobenzenesulphonamide are converted into the sodium salt by dissolving it in 100 ml of methanol, adding 1.1 g (0.02 mol) of sodium methoxide, subsequently stirring for 10 minutes and evaporating to dryness. The sodium salt is heated under reflux in 100 ml of acetonitrile with 3.4 g (0.02 mol) of ethyl 3-ethyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole-5-carboxylate for 12 hours. The residue remaining after distilling off the solvent is stirred with 100 ml of 10% strength potassium carbonate solution, filtered off with suction, washed with 1N hydrochloric acid and water and dried in a desiccator.

4.6 g (73% of theory) of N-(2-(chlorophenylsulphonyl)-3-ethyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole-5-carboxamide of melting point 142° C. are obtained.

The compounds of the formula (I) shown in Table 2 below can also be prepared, for example, analogously to Examples 1 or 2 and corresponding to the general description of the preparation process according to the invention.

    R.sup.1 --CO--NH--SO.sub.2 --(A).sub.n --R.sup.2           (I)

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Examples of the compounds of the formula (I)                                   Ex. No.                                                                             R.sup.1     A  n R.sup.2 Melting point (°C.)                       __________________________________________________________________________      3                                                                                   ##STR82##  -- 0                                                                                 ##STR83##                                                                             110                                               4                                                                                   ##STR84##  -- 0                                                                                 ##STR85##                                                5                                                                                   ##STR86##  -- 0                                                                                 ##STR87##                                                6                                                                                   ##STR88##  -- 0                                                                                 ##STR89##                                                                             185                                               7                                                                                   ##STR90##  -- 0                                                                                 ##STR91##                                                                             167                                               8                                                                                   ##STR92##  -- 0                                                                                 ##STR93##                                                                             145                                               9                                                                                   ##STR94##  -- 0                                                                                 ##STR95##                                               10                                                                                   ##STR96##  CH.sub.2                                                                          1                                                                                 ##STR97##                                                                             120                                              11                                                                                   ##STR98##  CH.sub.2                                                                          1                                                                                 ##STR99##                                                                             115                                              12                                                                                   ##STR100## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR101##                                              13                                                                                   ##STR102## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR103##                                              14                                                                                   ##STR104## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR105##                                                                            112                                              15                                                                                   ##STR106## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR107##                                                                            107                                              16                                                                                   ##STR108## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR109##                                                                             80                                              17                                                                                   ##STR110## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR111##                                                                            196                                              18                                                                                   ##STR112## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR113##                                                                            148                                              19                                                                                   ##STR114## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR115##                                                                            175                                              20                                                                                   ##STR116## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR117##                                                                            197                                              21                                                                                   ##STR118## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR119##                                                                            147                                              22                                                                                   ##STR120## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR121##                                              23                                                                                   ##STR122## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR123##                                              24                                                                                   ##STR124## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR125##                                                                            147                                              25                                                                                   ##STR126## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR127##                                                                            147                                              26                                                                                   ##STR128## -- 0                                                                                 ##STR129##                                                                            197                                              27                                                                                   ##STR130## CH.sub.2                                                                          1                                                                                 ##STR131##                                                                            118                                              __________________________________________________________________________

Example 28

The sodium salt of the compound shown as Example 9 can be prepared, for example, as follows: ##STR132##

3.0 g (9.5 mmol) of N-(2-chloro-6-methyl-phenylsulphonyl)-5-methyl-isoxazole-3-carboxamide are dissolved in 50 ml of methylene chloride; 0.4 g (9.5 mmol) of sodium hydroxide (powder) is then added to this solution and the mixture is stirred at 20° C. for 12 hours. The product which is obtained in crystalline form is isolated by filtering off with suction.

2.5 g (77% of theory) of sodium N-(2-chloro-6-methylphenylsulphonyl)-5-methyl-isoxazole-3-carboxamide of melting point 270° C. (decomposition) are obtained.

Examples of other salts which can be obtained analogously are shown below.

Example 29 ##STR133## Sodium N-(2-trifluoromethoxy-phenylsulphonyl)-3-ethyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole-5-carboxamide; melting point: 228° C. Example 30 ##STR134## Sodium N-(2-trifluoromethoxy-phenylsulphonyl)-3-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole-5-carboxamide; melting point: 275° C.

Other compounds of the formula (I) which can be prepared analogously to Examples 1 and 2 are:

                  TABLE 2                                                          ______________________________________                                         Continuation                                                                                                           Melting                                Ex.                                     point                                  No.  R.sup.1       A      n   R.sup.2   (°C.)                           ______________________________________                                         31                                                                                   ##STR135##   --     0                                                                                   ##STR136##                                                                              145                                    32                                                                                   ##STR137##   --     0                                                                                   ##STR138##                                                                              200                                    33                                                                                   ##STR139##   CH.sub.2                                                                              1                                                                                   ##STR140##                                                                              110                                    34                                                                                   ##STR141##   --     0                                                                                   ##STR142##                                                                              173                                    35                                                                                   ##STR143##   CH.sub.2                                                                              1                                                                                   ##STR144##                                                                              125                                    36                                                                                   ##STR145##   --     0                                                                                   ##STR146##                                                                              159                                    37                                                                                   ##STR147##   --     0                                                                                   ##STR148##                                                                              123                                    38                                                                                   ##STR149##   --     0                                                                                   ##STR150##                                                                              227                                    39                                                                                   ##STR151##   --     0                                                                                   ##STR152##                                                                              156                                    40                                                                                   ##STR153##   --     0                                                                                   ##STR154##                                                                              121                                    41                                                                                   ##STR155##   --     0                                                                                   ##STR156##                                                                              298                                    42                                                                                   ##STR157##   --     0                                                                                   ##STR158##                                                                              129                                    43                                                                                   ##STR159##   --     0                                                                                   ##STR160##                                                                               78                                    ______________________________________                                    

Use Examples Example A

Pre-emergence test

Solvent: 5 parts by weight of acetone

Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent, the stated amount of emulsifier is added and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

Seeds of the test plants are sown in normal soil and, after 24 hours, watered with the preparation of the active compound. It is expedient to keep constant the amount of water per unit area. The concentration of the active compound in the preparation is of no importance, only the amount of active compound applied per unit area being decisive. After three weeks, the degree of damage to the plants is rated in % damage in comparison to the development of the untreated control. The figures denote:

0%=no action (like untreated control)

100% =total destruction

In this test, the compound according to Preparation Example 1 exhibits a very good herbicidal activity combined with good tolerability by the productive plants.

Example B

Post-emergence test

Solvent: 5 parts by weight of acetone

Emulsifier: 1 part by weight of alkylaryl polyglycol ether

To produce a suitable preparation of active compound, 1 part by weight of active compound is mixed with the stated amount of solvent, the stated amount of emulsifier is added and the concentrate is diluted with water to the desired concentration.

Test plants which have a height of 5-15 cm are sprayed with the preparation of the active compound in such a way as to apply the particular amounts of active compound desired per unit area. The concentration of the spray liquor is so chosen that the particular amounts of active compound desired are applied in 1,000 l of water/ha. After three weeks, the degree of damage to the plants is rated in % damage in comparison to the development of the untreated control. The figures denote:

0%=no action (like untreated control)

100%=total destruction

In this test, the compound according to Preparation Example 1 exhibits a very good herbicidal action combined with excellent cultivated plant selectivity.

It will be understood that the specification and examples are illustrative but not limitative of the present invention and that other embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. 

We claim:
 1. A sulphonylated carboxamide of the formula

    R.sup.1 --CO--NH--SO.sub.2 --(A).sub.n --R.sup.2           (I)

in which n is 0 or 1, A is oxygen, NH or CH₂, R¹ is isoxazolyl, thiodiazolyl or 1,2,4-oxadiozolyl, which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, fluoromethyl, chloromethyl, difluoromethyl, dichloromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, chlorofluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl, fluorodichloromethyl, phenyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropyloxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, chlorodifluoromethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, difluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, chlorodifluoromethylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, propylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, propylsulphonyl, methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, isopropylamino or dimethylamino, and R² represents the radical ##STR161## in which R³ and R⁴ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, cyano, nitro, carboxyl or C₁ -C₆ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, carboxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino-carbonyl, di-C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)aminocarbonyl, hydroxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, formyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl-carbonyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino-carbonyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)aminosulphonyl, C₃ -C₆ -cycloalkyl or phenyl, or R³ and R⁴ furthermore independently of one another represent C₂ -C₆ -alkenyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or phenyl, or R³ and R⁴ additionally independently of one another represent C₂ -C₆ -alkinyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl, carboxyl or phenyl; C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, carboxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl; C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, carboxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl; C₃ -C₆ -alkenyloxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl, C₂ -C₆ -alkenylthio which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, C₁ -C₃ -alkylthio or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl; C₃ -C₆ -alkynyloxy, C₃ -C₆ -alkynylthio or the radical --S(O)_(p) --R⁵, or R³ and R⁴ furthermore represent phenyl or phenoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylcarbonylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino-carbonylamino, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-amino-carbonylamino, or the radical --CO--R⁶, or R³ and R⁴ furthermore represent C₁ -C₄ -alkysulphonyloxy, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminosulphonylamino or the radical --CH═N--R⁷, in which p represents the numbers 1 or 2 and R⁵ represents C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, or R⁵ represents C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-amino, R⁶ represents C₁ -C₆ -alkyl, C₁ -C₆ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, methoxy or ethoxy; C₃ -C₆ -cycloalkoxy, C₃ -C₆ -alkenyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, amino, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxyamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-C₁ -C₄ -alkyl-amino or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)amino which are optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine and R⁷ represents C₁ -C₆ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, cyano, carboxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl, benzyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, C₃ -C₆ -alkenyl or C₃ -C₆ -alkynyl which are optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, phenyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or trifluoromethylthio, C₁ -C₆ -alkoxy, C₃ -C₆ -alkenyloxy, C₃ -C₆ -alkynyloxy or benzyloxy which are optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, or R⁷ furthermore represents amino, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-amino, phenylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl-carbonylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl-sulphonylamino or phenyl sulphonylamino which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine or methyl, R⁸ and R⁹ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; C₂ -C₄ -alkenyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl which are optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; and di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminosulphonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl, dimethylaminocarbonyl or dioxolanyl; R¹² and R¹³ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl which are optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)aminosulphonyl; R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkoxy; C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl which are optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-amino-sulphonyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, and A¹ represents oxygen, sulphur or the group N--Z¹, in which Z¹ represents hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine or cyano; C₃ -C₆ -cycloalkyl, benzyl or phenyl, phenyl optionally being substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine or nitro; C₁ -C₄ -alkylcarbonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)aminocarbonyl; R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, halogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkoxy, Y¹ represents sulphur or the group N--R¹⁸, in which R¹⁸ represents hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, R¹⁹ represents hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, phenyl or (iso)quinolinyl, R²⁰ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; dioxolanyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl, R²¹ represents hydrogen, halogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, R²² represents hydrogen, halogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl, R²³ represents C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, R²⁴ represents C₁ -C₄ -alkyl and R²⁵ represents hydrogen or methyl,or a salt thereof.
 2. A sulphonylated carboxamide according to claim 1, in whichR² represents the radical ##STR162## R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, 2-chloroethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, C₁ -C₃ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₃ -alkyl-sulphinyl, C₁ -C₃ -alkylsulphonyl, dimethylaminosulphonyl, diethylaminosulphonyl, N-methoxy-N-methylaminosulphonyl, phenyl, phenoxy or C₁ -C₃ -alkoxycarbonyl and R⁴ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, trifluoromethyl or methoxy, R¹⁰ represents dimethylaminocarbonyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine and R represents methyl or ethyl.
 3. A sulphonylated carboxamide according to claim 1, in whichR² is ##STR163##
 4. A sulphonylated carboxamide according to claim 3, in which R⁴ is hydrogen.
 5. A compound according to claim 1, wherein such compound is N-(2-methoxycarbonyl-phenylsulphonyl)-5-methyl-isoxazole-3-carboxamide of the formula ##STR164## or a salt thereof.
 6. A herbicidal composition comprising a herbicidally effective amount of a compound or salt according to claim 1 and a diluent.
 7. A method of combating unwanted vegetation which comprises applying to such vegetation or to a locus from which it is desired to exclude such vegetation a herbicidally effective amount of a sulphonylated carboxamide of the formula

    R.sup.1 --CO--NH--SO.sub.2 --(A).sub.n --R.sup.2           (I)

in which n is 0 to 1, A is oxygen, NH or CH₂, R¹ is a five-membered heteroaryl radical selected from the group consisting of oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, oxadiozolyl and thiadiazolyl, which is optionally monosubstituted or polysubstituted by identical or different halogen or by optionally halogen-substituted C₁ -C₆ -alkyl, phenyl, C₁ -C₆ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₆ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₆ -alkylsulphinyl, C₁ -C₆ -alkylsulphonyl, C₁ -C₆ -alkylamino or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)amino, and R² represents the radical ##STR165## in which R³ and R⁴ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, cyano, nitro, carboxyl or C₁ -C₆ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, carboxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino-carbonyl, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)aminocarbonyl, hydroxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, formyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl-carbonyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino-carbonyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)aminosulphonyl, C₃ -C₆ -cycloalkyl or phenyl, or R³ and R⁴ furthermore independently of one another represent C₂ -C₆ -alkenyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyl or phenyl, or R³ and R⁴ additionally independently of one another represent C₂ -C₆ -alkinyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl, carboxyl or phenyl; C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, carboxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl; C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, carboxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl; C₃ -C₆ -alkenyloxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl, C₂ -C₆ -alkenylthio which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, C₁ -C₃ -alkylthio or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl; C₃ -C₆ -alkynyloxy, C₃ -C₆ -alkynylthio or the radical --S(O)_(p) --R⁵, or R³ and R⁴ furthermore represent phenyl or phenoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylcarbonylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino-carbonylamino, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-amino-carbonylamino, or the radical --CO--R⁶, or R³ and R⁴ furthermore represent C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyloxy, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminosulphonylamino or the radical --CH═N--R⁷, in which p represents the numbers 1 or 2 and R⁵ represents C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, or R⁵ represents C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-amino, R⁶ represents C₁ -C₆ -alkyl, C₁ -C₆ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, methoxy or ethoxy; C₃ -C₆ -cycloalkoxy, C₃ -C₆ -alkenyloxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, amino, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxyamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-C₁ -C₄ -alkyl-amino or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)amino which are optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine and R⁷ represents C₁ -C₆ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, cyano, carboxyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl, benzyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, C₃ -C₆ -alkenyl or C₃ -C₆ -alkynyl which are optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, phenyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy or trifluoromethylthio, C₁ -C₆ -alkoxy, C₃ -C₆ -alkenyloxy, C₃ -C₆ -alkynyloxy or benzyloxy which are optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, or R⁷ furthermore represents amino, C₁ -C₄ -alkylamino, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-amino, phenylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl-carbonylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonylamino, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl-sulphonylamino or phenyl sulphonylamino which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine or methyl, R⁸ and R⁹ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, nitro, cyano, or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; C₂ -C₄ -alkenyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl which are optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; and di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)-aminosulphonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl, dimethylaminocarbonyl or dioxolanyl; R¹² and R¹³ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl which are optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)aminosulphonyl; R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkoxy; C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphinyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl which are optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine, di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)amino-sulphonyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, and A¹ represents oxygen, sulphur or the group N--Z¹, in which Z¹ represents hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine or cyano; C₃ -C₆ -cycloalkyl, benzyl or phenyl, phenyl optionally being substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine or nitro; C₁ -C₄ -alkylcarbonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl or di-(C₁ -C₄ -alkyl)aminocarbonyl; R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ are identical or different and represent hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, halogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxycarbonyl, C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy or C₁ -C₄ -halogenoalkoxy, Y¹ represents sulphur or the group N--R¹⁸, in which R¹⁸ represents hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, R¹⁹ represents hydrogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, phenyl or (iso)quinolinyl, R²⁰ represents hydrogen, halogen, cyano, nitro or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy which is optionally substituted by fluorine or chlorine; dioxolanyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl, R²¹ represents hydrogen, halogen or C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, R²² represents hydrogen, halogen, C₁ -C₄ -alkyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkoxy-carbonyl, R²³ represents C₁ -C₄ -alkyl, R²⁴ represents C₁ -C₄ -alkyl and R²⁵ represents hydrogen or methyl,or a salt thereof.
 8. The method according to claim 7, in whichR¹ is isoxazolyl, thiadiazolyl or 1,2,4-oxadiozolyl which is optionally substituted by fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, fluoromethyl, chloromethyl, difluoromethyl, dichloromethyl, trifluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, chlorofluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl, fluorodichloromethyl, phenyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropyloxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, chlorodifluoromethoxy, methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, difluoromethylthio, trifluoromethylthio, chlorodifluoromethylthio, methylsulphinyl, ethylsulphinyl, propylsulphinyl, methylsulphonyl, ethylsulphonyl, propylsulphonyl, methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino, isopropylamino or dimethylamino, and R² represents the radical ##STR166## R³ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, cyano, nitro, carboxyl, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, ethoxy, 2-chloroethoxy, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy, C₁ -C₃ -alkylthio, C₁ -C₃ -alkyl-sulphinyl, C₁ -C₃ -alkylsulphonyl, dimethylaminosulphonyl, diethylaminosulphonyl, N-methoxy-N-methylaminosulphonyl, phenyl, phenoxy or C₁ -C₃ -alkoxycarbonyl and R⁴ represents hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, methyl, trifluoromethyl or methoxy, R¹⁰ represents dimethylaminocarbonyl or C₁ -C₄ -alkylsulphonyl, R¹¹ represents hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine and R represents methyl or ethyl.
 9. A method according to claim 7, in whichR² is ##STR167##
 10. A method according to claim 7, in which R⁴ is hydrogen. 